The Young Duchess; or, Memoirs of a Lady of Quality — page 114: what you’re looking at

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100 THE YOUNG DUCHESS; OR, MEMOIRS OF A LADY OF QUALITY. better than you! Do you not know, Mr. Smithers, that executors are allowed a clear twelvemonth for probation and administration of a will, and so forth 2?” ‘And fourteen good calender months have now elapsed, Mr. Warren, since the demise of my be- loved sister, at the age of sixty-eight, leaving behind her a large circle of friends to lament the irreparable loss u ‘All that may doubtless be read upon the tombstone,” interrupted Warren. ‘“ But let us come to the point. Suppose I were to tell you, sir, that I am not prepared to pay you this amount a “Then, sir”—and the pimply face became very red, while the small eyes gleamed through the green glasses,—"'I should be compelled to in- form you that I am determined to place the matter in the hands of my_ solicitors, ‘Wrench, Wracken, and Thumbscrew, of Thavies’ Inn.” Mr. Warren laughed; and then the school- master also laughed, his humour suddenly chang- ing, for he thought that the stockbroker was joking—and he said so. ‘““You are a good fellow, Smithers, after all!” exclaimed Warren, with a patronizing air. “By the bye, what are your terms?” “ Ah! hehas got mea pupil !” thought Smithers. —'‘My terms, my dear sir,” he proceeded, ‘are forty guineas for youths under twelve—and fifty above that age. French, Drawing, and Dancing extra. A silver spoon and six towels indispensa- ble. Quarter’s noticed required on the removal of a lad. Cash payments quarterly. On other terms Sampson Smithers respectfully declines doing business.” “Very good and very proper. pupils have you, Mr. Smithers ?” “Fifty-three, my dear sir. new boy from Nackington in Kent. So with the Nackington boy, we are fifty-four. My -butcher has a standing order for three legs of mutton every da ” ' t And’ therefore, with those high terms and all the extras, and with that number of pupils, you make a good thing of it, Mr. Smithers—eh ?” “Well, I don’t think I ought to complain, my dear sir: and if you be going to recommend me a young gentleman—or two—or even three ‘I shall bear you in mind. But at the same time,” continued Mr. Warren, now looking very serious, ‘‘ it would be a great pity if this fine school of your’s were suddenly to be broken up ” “ Broken up, sir?” exclaimed the pedagogue, half in indignation, and half in consternation: . “T really am ata loss . ‘Oh, I can soon satisfy you as to my mean- ing,” interrupted the stockbroker. “ Thereis a little secret which . happens to be knowir to me ” " A__a'secret, sir?” and Mr. Smithers evidently grew uneasy and agitated. _ “Mandeville is again right!” was the joyous reflection which swept through Warren’s brain. “Yes, Mr. Smithers—a secret. In plain terms,” continued the stockbroker, now speaking with great -abruptness, “what would become of your establishment if it were known that some four- teen or fifteen years ago you were a felon on board a hulk at Woolwich, where you acted as school- master ?” How many Ah, I forgot the It was a sound between a moan of anguish and a yell of despair which burst from the lips of the wretched Smithers as these words smote his ears ; while Warren surveyed him with the air of one who knew that he was right in reference to the fact so overwhelmingly enunciated. Then Smithers began to whimper; and he said, “ For God’s sake, do not expose me, sir! Do not ruin me! I have never done you any harm—I never will! Keep the money—do what you like with it—pay me the interest—or don’t pay me at all, just as you think fit ‘Well, the truth is, I have scarcely a shilling to pay it with,” interrupted Warren. “I am almost a ruined man; but I may recover myself if I can only maintain my credit. No one knows this secret but yourself; and therefore if it tran- spires, I shall immediately understand that it is you who have maliciously whispered the evil re- port concerning me. Keep my secret, I say—and I will keep your’s. Ah, by the bye, just give me a little receipt for form’s sake—and then our busi- ness will be settled.” The loss was a heavy one to the schoolmaster ; but it was preferable to the exposure of his ante- cedents and the breaking up of his establishment. In this philosophical light he saw it; and he has- tened to give the receipt: but his hand trembled somewhat—and we are not quite sure that he was very careful in dotting his i’s or clearly defining his upstrokes. “Five!” said the triumphant stockbroker, as he placed the receipt upon his file, when Mr. Smithers had taken his departure. In another minute Mr. Warren leapt into his phaeton, and drove away with a light heart to- wards Highbury. It was close upon six o'clock when he reached his house; and the footman who opened the door, said, “If you please, sir, Mrs. Trevor is waiting.” Warren at once proceeded to the parlour to which the unfortunate Ethel had been shown; and he bowed to her with the utmost courtesy, expressing his regret that he was unable to see her in the morning, but assuring her that he was now at perfect leisure to attend to her. “Perhaps I need scarcely ask, sir,” said the afflicted young lady, ‘‘ whether you know who it was v “T can anticipate your meaning, madam,” said the stockbroker. “It was the Duke of Ardleigh who presented you with that sum of five thousand pounds, concerning which you have doubtless called.” ‘Circumstances have occurred, Mr. Warren,” continued Ethel, ‘which have led to our separa- tion. You will spare me the recital of them. Let it be sufficient for me to state that everything is at an end between—between”—she faltered and sobbed-—then gathering courage, she added, “ be- tween his Grace and myself. Never again can I see him—and I could wish to be spared the neces- sity of ever having to communicate with him. To be candid with you, Mr. Warren, it was be- cause I feared that he might suspect my intention of calling at your office, and that he would be there for the purpose of meeting me,—it was for this reason, 1 say, that I took the liberty of seek- ing you at your private residence.” “T am enabled to inform you, Mrs. Tre- vor 7 COMO YN Wn) Colin